If you’ve ever listened to modern Hawaiian music, you may have noticed much of it has a Reggae feel and beat. In fact, the Reggae music scene is alive and well in the islands, and you can be part of it when you attend the next Mayjah Rayjah Music Festival July 24th and 25th.

The Mayjah Rayjah Music Festival is the state’s largest Reggae festival, and it boasts sold-out crowds full of kama’aina (locals) and visitors alike. And, when it comes to attracting popular Reggae artists, The Mayjah Rayjah festival has few rivals. This year, 16 artists will perform in Honolulu on Oahu and 13 artists will perform in Kahului on Maui.

Oahu will feature 16 artists, and Maui will host 13 artists,

Here’s a rundown of the artists featured in this year’s Mayjah Rayjah Music Festival:

Oahu, July 24th:

COMMON KINGS

REBEL SOULJAHZ

SPAWNBREZZIE

SAMMY JOHNSON

PENI DEAN

KAIPO KAPUA

THE VITALS

CULTURE NATION

Oahu, July 25th:

TARRUS RILEY

SONS OF ZION

ANUHEA

PIETER T

THE JIMMY WEEKS PROJECT

THE L81Z

BACKYARD SHAKA

EASY VIBES

Maui, July 24th:

TARRUS RILEY

SONS OF ZION

ANUHEA

PIETER T

THE JIMMY WEEKS PROJECT

THE L81Z

BACKYARD SHAKA

Maui, July 25th:

COMMON KINGS

REBEL SOULJAHZ

SPAWNBREZZIE

SAMMY JOHNSON

KAIPO KAPUA

IKAIKA BEAMER

Established in 2009, The MayJah RayJah features more than 30 festivals on four different islands, including Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai. Founder, Raymond Ho Jr. says, “My goal was to establish a concert where kama’ainas and visitors could enjoy for many generations to come here to the state. Socializing and creating memories was a huge part of what I wanted to accomplish during the process. These festivals now draw thousands of families and friends together to the event which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.”

The Sons of Zion from New Zealand will play for the first time in the USA at the Mayjah Rayjah Music Festival.

He adds, “I was inspired by how people enjoyed being entertained by live music. For many years I have observed and educated myself on what people enjoyed when they went to these events. After numerous years of going to concerts I realized that it wasn’t just about music. It was more about socializing with peers and enjoying the atmosphere together. The lineup of talent and buzz of these events is what drove people to create these large social gatherings. I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel by doing things totally different I just wanted to add my flavor to it.”

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the event is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at both venues, both days. Tickets are currently on sale for the event and range from $17.00 to $120.00. You can purchase tickets at the Blaisdell Box Office, WalMart stores, or go to www.tmrmusicfestival.com.

On Oahu, the reggae festival will be held at the Waikiki Shell at 2805 Monserrat Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815. On Maui, the event will be held at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center at One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732.

Ho says, “over the years we have became very well known for assembling the best island/reggae lineups here in Hawaii which many of our fans anticipate. Our long-term goal is to become a destination event where people all over the world will travel to experience The MayJah RayJah.”

If past success has anything to do with it, Ho will likely realize that long-term goal in the very near future.

Britt is a former T.V. News Reporter and Meteorologist who traded in the newsroom for the freedom of freelance writing. Originally a Georgia Peach, she has spent the better part of her adulthood in Hawaii, where she plans to stay and raise her family.